Germany last month imported 30,000 barrels of diesel from the U.S., according to Kpler. This year U.S. imports have so far accounted for about 18% of Germany’s imports, according to industry association en2x.
The United Kingdom, the biggest importer of American diesel in Europe at 108,000 barrels last month according to Kpler, had a similar official line to Germany. “Forecourts in the U.K. are being supplied with petrol and diesel as normal and we have a diverse and resilient supply,” a U.K. government spokesperson said.
But one British lawmaker wasn’t so sanguine. “If the U.S. restricts our supply of diesel it would be a big concern for drivers,” said Bill Esterson, a U.K. Labour MP and chair of the House of Commons Energy Security and Net Zero Committee. “Prices are already sky high because of the war in Iran.”
France, which imported 42,000 barrels last month, did not respond to a request for comment. The European Commission also declined to comment. Multiple other European officials, granted anonymity to discuss Trump’s threats openly, downplayed the threat.
Since the war in Iran began, diesel imports from Qatar have completely dried up, according to the Kpler figures. Imports from Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates also fell to zero for a while, though they have picked up again in the last couple of months. Still, they are nowhere near U.S. levels.
Aude Le Gentil and Nicholas Earl contributed reporting.
